New numbers

[Aurora96]

New fasting blood test results:

HbA1c = 6.5 (down from 6.9)
Cholesterol = 179
HdL = 39 (low)
LdL = 101 (up slightly - no surprise as I'd gone off Zocor in the last 3 months)
Triglycerides = 195 (down, but still not where my doc wants them to be)
FBG = 162

Doctor wants me to go on Lipitor. I would prefer not to go on another statin at this point until I've seen if lowering my blood sugars can lower the triglycerides. I brought them down from nearly 1000 to 195. I'm not sure going on another medication at this point is the answer.

I do want to go on a low dose of basal insulin and feel like I'm being met with fierce resistance on this point. I was put on a low dose when I was pregnant with my daughter (at bedtime) and my fasting numbers came down nicely. I'm just tired of fighting the battles of the high FBG - no matter what I do, they don't come down. Snack, no snack, exercise, no exercise, wine, water... I just can't bring them down! And then I spend half the day trying to bring them down to a reasonable level.

Anyone fought this battle before? :)

[mortis505]

Keep up the good work. I was on a statin once and had to stop due to the side effects, but many other do quite well with them. I'm sure others will chime in soon.

[MJB]

My doc would have me keep taking Lipitor (10mg) even if my cholesterol didn't need it. He says recent studies show heart health benefits for diabetics.

You can always try it and if you don't like stop taking it, with your doc's knowledge of course.

[matingara]

hi.

i take the AZ competitor statin known as Crestor. I also take another pill known as Lipidil (fenofibrate).

both these pills did help my cholesterol and triglycerides a little.

what has made a HUGE difference for me is combining these drugs with a low carb diet.

my good cholesterol is up. my bad cholesterol is so low it has almost disappeared. :). and FINALLY my triglycerides are normal (low normal range). my doc keeps me on these drugs because they "protect my kidneys" - ok - fine...

the low carb has made the biggest difference of all.

what gets me is why the GP never suggested reducing carbs to control triglycerides. maybe he didn't know? he sure knows now. AND I REMIND HIM EVERY TIME I SEE HIM...

hopefully he can pass on the recommendation to other patients.

-- Joel.

[Aurora96]

hi.

the low carb has made the biggest difference of all.

what gets me is why the GP never suggested reducing carbs to control triglycerides. maybe he didn't know? he sure knows now. AND I REMIND HIM EVERY TIME I SEE HIM...

-- Joel.

Thanks, Joel. I started siginificantly reducing my carbs after I joined this forum. I probably don't qualify as low carb by many people here - I try to keep it under 100 grams per day, closer to 80 most days but this is HUGELY different from my previously dietitian recommended diet of 40-60 grams of carbs per meal and 20-25 grams per snack. I've just read too much of the negatives of statins - memory loss, increased insulin resistance, damage to muscles (including the heart!!), depression, potential artery damage - to want to go back on one again if I don't have to.

I just want three months to see if lower blood sugars = lower triglycerides. I think it will.

[Janlaton]

Have you thought about asking the doc if he would consider letting you take Zetia? It does not help with cholestrol already in the body but keeps from absorbing more from the digestive track. I had been on Lovastatin for some time with only moderate success in lowering both cholestrol and triglycerides the Zetia has brought them well in control. True the good is only 41 which the doc says is too low but I can handle that better than 29. I do not notice any side effects from using the Zetia.:) :)